What should our First Aid Kit contain?

A Common Question that I get in classes is:
"What do you recommend to be in a First Aid Kit?"
While there are MANY Schools of thought regarding this, my rule is always, "KEEP IT SIMPLE."

 Most people either have so much CRAP in their kits that they don't want to carry them (So Bulky) or they have a box of Band-Aids (Woefully inadequate for a camp out)

 Items that ALL Kits should have:

  • Band-Aids (Assorted Sizes)
  • Small and Large Sized Gauze Pads (4x4s, 5x9s)
  • 2 or more TRIANGULAR BANDAGES (See below)
  • 1 or 2 Roller Gauze (1 inch is good)
  • SCISSORS (Real ones, not tiny ones)
  • Medical Tape (DUCT TAPE if Wilderness Kit)
  • Thermometer(s) (Digital or Disposable)
  • 1 tube WHITE Cake Frosting (For Blood Sugar Issues)
  • Antiseptic wipes (as allowed. Get parent's Permission first)
  • MORE THAN 1 PAIR of GLOVES (Non-Latex, Assorted Sizes)
  • 1 CPR MASK (That fits Adult, Child and Infant)

For OUTDOOR or CAMPING TRIPS, I would add:
  • A BAR OF SOAP (in a Ziploc Bag)
  • Wet Washcloth (in a Ziploc Bag)
  • COLD Packs (or ZipLoc Bag to make one with some ice)
  • At LEAST 2 LARGE ZIPLOC BAGS (Multiple Uses)
  • Flashlight (for those Night Time Emergencies)
You can always add other stuff as needed, but don't make it TOO complicated, or else the kit won't get carried everywhere it needs to be.

If you want to purchase kits PRE-MADE, here is a good place to look (Our ONLINE STORE)

If you want to build your own, a soft-sided lunch box style cooler is a great case. Or you can put it ALL in a BIG ZIPLOC BAG!




TRIANGULAR BANDAGES

Comments

  1. EMTA ENTERPRISESFebruary 8, 2017 at 2:09 AM

    Something else to think about.... Adjust the kit as needed for whatever MISSION you will be doing... ie. A kit for SUMMERTIME in FLORIDA might not be the same as a kit for WINTERTIME in CANADA.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What's Inside an Ice Pack?

The Bottom Line Ice packs are common household items, which makes them accessible to small children. There are many different types of reusable ice packs. Typically, unintentionally swallowing some of their liquid contents causes minor effects such as mouth irritation. However, depending on the ingredients and the amount swallowed, ice packs do have the potential to cause toxicity. The Full Story Ice packs are found in millions of homes as they are used for a wide variety of purposes such as icing an injury and keeping food cold. They come in many forms and contain different ingredients depending on the type of ice pack. Some are in cute shapes with soft, gel-like beads in them. Other ice packs turn into solids when frozen but are soft and squishy when thawed. There are also one-time use "instant" ice packs, which can be found in many first-aid kits. These are stored at room temperature and only turn cold when squeezed. Depending on the type of ice pack, results of e
Read more

SPIDER and TICK IDENTIFICATION

Image
For our Wilderness First Aiders: We discussed Bites from Spiders and Ticks...  Attached are some quick reference charts to help identify these creatures.... For more Info on Wilderness First Aid Courses, visit us at www.emta.net   
Read more

The Pee Chart

Image
The PEE CHART Many of our students have asked me about the infamous PEE CHART (Chart that you compare with your urine color to show hydration level).... Well, Here they are! For more information, visit www.emta.net/student
Read more